Carole A. Persia

Carole A. Persia, 75, of Westborough, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at home with her husband and sister by her side. She was the beloved wife of 40 years to Thomas E. Persia, Jr. and devoted sister to Sandra Ngoon.  She is survived by brother-in-law Kalvin Ngoon, loving sisters-in law Susan Lilley, Karen Coviello and JoAnn Ryan and her nieces and nephew Nalani, Tristan, Rebecca, Erin, Kim, Megan and Michael.  Carole was predeceased by her parents William Lilley and Evelyn (McLaughlin) Lilley and brothers John and Brian Lilley.

Carole was born in Biddeford, ME, raised in Oxford, MA, and graduated from Oxford High School and Northeastern University.  She met the love of her life, “Tom”, when introduced on a skiing weekend by a mutual friend.  Over the years, Tom and Carole moved from Chelmsford to Worcester to Natick and finally settling in at the Villages at Walker Meadow in Westborough, MA. in 2019. Carole had an interesting career starting as a National Park guide in Philadelphia, a co-op coordinator at Northeastern University, an adjunct instructor at Mass Bay Community College and director of medical records information at several hospitals in New England including Worcester State Hospital before retiring.

She was an excellent cook and card player.  She loved watching Julia Child cooking shows and playing Mah Jong and bridge several hours weekly.  She was passionate about genealogy and spent much time researching her relatives and piecing together her family tree.  She enjoyed her family, making visits to northern Maine and California to visit relatives.  She leaves many friends whose lives have been enriched by knowing and loving Carole.  Among the many friends she leaves behind are Joanne and James Wilson, best of friends for over 40 years.

Due to Covid-19, funeral services and burial will be private.  A celebration of Carole’s life will be held at a later date when we are able to come together and gather safely.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that charitable contributions be made to the:

Worcester Food Bank  474 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 (508) 842-3663

Shriners Hospital  for Children 51 Blossom St, Boston, MA 02114 (617) 722-3000

Dana Farber Jimmy Fund  450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215  (617) 632-3270